A child's death has prompted calls for baby slings to be sold with instructions and risk warnings.
Melanie Water, manager of Kidsafe Victoria, says the slings are a good way of carrying a child, but they must be used with care.
A two-day-old boy died in South Australia after being carried in a sling worn under his mother's clothing.
Ms Water says parents carrying a baby in a sling must be able to see the child's face at all times and ensure clear access to their airways.
"All baby slings should be sold with clear instructions and specific diagrams to make sure the potential risks are clear," she says.
She says 16 deaths related to the slings have been reported in the US and Canada.
In a letter published today in the Medical Journal of Australia, two pathology experts say that as no explanation could be found, the baby’s death was listed as “undetermined,” however the sling had to be “considered a risk factor”.
Authors Roger Byard, professor of pathology at the University of Adelaide, and senior specialist forensic pathologist John Gilbert said it was "important that parents and carers are made aware of potential safety issues with the use of these devices, particularly in very young infants".
"It is well recognised that infants placed in certain positions, such as in car safety seats, may be at risk of significant oxygen desaturation, and even death, due to upper airway compromise," Dr Byard and Dr Gilbert wrote.
"It appears that a similar situation occurs with certain slings, albeit rarely, as the soft and rounded sleeping surfaces may promote a potentially dangerous sleeping posture that impedes normal respiration.
"Constant monitoring of infants in slings is advised to ensure that the infant's head is facing outwards, with no covering of the face."
In the US in 2010, more than 1 million Infantino baby slings were recalled due to safety concerns following three baby deaths. The Consumer Product Safety Commission suggested parents waited till their babies were older than four months before introducing a sling.
Kidsafe SA CEO Helen Noblet says there is the potential for "a potential for slings to be dangerous if they are misused".
"It's quite a cottage industry in some cases - people make them at home and sell them at markets," Ms Noblet said.
"Our message is, if they are used incorrectly they could be a hazard."
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28 Comments
sling are very common here in my country especially in the village.My mother used to carry me with a sling when i was small and i used to carry all my babies with a sling.But one thing we always know and we dont do is using sling to carry a 2 days old baby and inside the cloth!! even my grandmother who never go to school know that was very wrong way to use a sling..we traditionally used sling for baby at least above 3 months old.that is when the baby's bone and neck are already developed and quite strong.
Replyvery very sad.But why not use the pram that is safer and the baby will be relaxed and safe.
ReplyWhats sad here is that the comment by 'Rose' about the English received 246 Thumbs Down whereas the ignorant one from Vanquish about hating/killing kids only received 20!!! Go figure the intellect (or lack thereof) behind this!
Replymost slings and baby carriers do come with instructions and warnings. and its common sense that u should wear the carrier over your clothes, not under. what was she thinking.
Replyi used a sling i was so paranoid bout my child being in it, i always had to check and move her up! but i only use it a hand full of time because of that and how the lay in them!! and i don't think i will EVER use one again!!! most of new parent don't read instruction labels! and this what happens... RIP Little man!!
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